How to Find Vacation Homes Without Mold

Planning a vacation should feel exciting, not stressful. But for travelers with allergies, mold illness or sensitivities, MCS, CIRS, or simply a desire for healthier spaces, finding a vacation rental free that fits your needs can feel nearly impossible.

Where Does Mold Exist?

The truth is that mold is in every home, especially in humid climates or properties that are not properly maintained. No home is 100% mold-free. Mold spores are everywhere, they can come in through open windows, doors, and even on our clothes and pets. Because they are so tiny, we often don’t see them, but they are always around us, measuring between 1 and 20 microns. Mold spores can make us sick, but when we think about mold being toxic, it is the mycotoxins, substances produced by certain types of molds, that are toxic. While no host can guarantee a completely mold-free environment, there are things I look for to reduce the risk and choose a healthier place to stay.

What is the Climate?

Warm, humid destinations naturally have a higher risk of mold issues. Coastal areas, tropical regions, and places with frequent rainfall require extra diligence. If you are recovering from mold illness or have severe allergies, I would avoid theses places if and when possible. For coastal locations and areas prone to flooding, looking for elevated or stilted homes. Check the weather and research if the area has had recent hurricane activity, heavy rain, and/or flooding.

How to Reduce your Risk

It is not all doom and gloom, you can travel safely. Here are my tips and what I look for in a home when they apply to join the community.

• Avoid homes with carpet and LVP, choose a property with surfaces like concrete, engineered or hardwood floors, and tile.
• Look for properties with air filters, they will help to reduce the airborne mold in the home. Our favorites are the Jaspr air scrubber and Air Doctor air filters.
• Scour the reviews. I do for each of our properties. Search for "musty", "odor", or "mold". See if the other guests describe the place as being clean and the host as responsive, these can be a signs that the property is well-maintained.
• The home should have operable windows and/or doors to the outside. Yes, mold exists outside, but indoor air quality can be 2-5x more polluted than outdoor (sometimes up to 100x more). Ventilation and air circulation is key to keeping mold at bay. I look for and prefer full bathrooms that have windows too.
• I love a good built-in, wood detailing like bead board, and wallpaper, but these can all harbor mold (best to avoid on exterior walls).
• Ask about humidity monitors (sometimes it is integrated into the thermostat), and in humid areas look to see if the home has dehumidifiers or a whole-house dehumidifier. Most experts recommend maintaining a humidity level between 30-50%.
• An added bonus if a home has limestone or lime-based paint. Limestone paint is naturally highly alkaline, which actively kills and deters mold spores from taking root.

Be Proactive and Prepared

Supporting your nervous system is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy when traveling. No matter how clean the vacation home is, it still is not your home or space and your nervous system is going to be slightly on edge in this new space. Let go of what you cannot control and enjoy this time that you have chosen to take, either for yourself, or with family and friends. These are the things I try to do keep my body out of fight or flight when traveling.

• Acknowledge how grateful I am for the opportunity to travel and explore a new location.
• Get outside and stay active, especially within the first 24 hours of your arrival. You're also battling against plane or car travel for an extended period of time. Feel the sunshine on your skin and ground in the earth.
• Extra support from supplements, I love Cymbiotika and regularly take the glutathione.
• For mold, I love everything that Micro Balance Health makes and highly recommend traveling with the CitriDrops, Nasal Spray, and Rinse. 
• Stay hydrated. Traveling can dehydrate you and as much as I hate the whole drink more water thing, here it does apply. Just don't forget your filter water bottle!

I will continue to work hard to bring you more options to make travel easier! If you know of a host that would be great for Havenwith, send them our way. 

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